Autumn Fruits That Brighten Up the Garden

In our gardens, autumn brings a true explosion of colors. Different plant species reward us with fruits in nearly every shade of the rainbow. Below, we highlight 5 of the most striking shrubs to admire – and maybe plant in your own garden.

Firethorn (Pyracantha) – Yellow, orange, or red fruit
This dense shrub grows up to 2–4 meters tall and is decorative all year round. In spring, it produces creamy flower clusters; in summer, it's covered with glossy leaves; and in autumn, its branches become heavily laden with bright berries. The fruit color depends on the variety and stays on the plant throughout winter.

Beautyberry (Callicarpa) – Purple fruit
Native to Asia, North America, and Australia, beautyberry shrubs turn into true garden gems in autumn. Their unusual purple berries appear in clusters and persist well into winter, offering an important food source for birds. Though a bit tart, they’re perfect for jams, jellies, or even homemade wine.

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) – Black fruit
A compact shrub growing up to 2.5 meters high. Its sweet-tart berries are edible and packed with health-boosting antioxidants, particularly rare vitamin P. The dark juice is often used as a natural coloring and in multi-fruit preserves. Hardy and low-maintenance, chokeberry thrives in both dry and wet soils and prefers sunny spots.

Holly (Ilex aquifolium) – Red fruit
A striking evergreen with shiny, spiny leaves that stay green all winter. From autumn through spring, it bears bright red berries that stand out in frosty gardens. Holly has a long cultural history, once symbolizing divine protection and used in rituals across Europe.

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) – White fruit
Native to North America and popular in European gardens. This 3-meter shrub is great for hedges and tolerates pruning, frost, and poor soil. Its small pink flowers attract bees throughout summer, while large, white, spongy berries brighten the garden during the colder months.